Acromegaly Support Group
Acromegaly (from Greek akros "high" and megas "large" - extremities enlargement) is a hormonal disorder that results when the pituitary gland produces excess growth hormone (hGH). Acromegaly most commonly affects middle-aged adults and can result in serious illness and premature death. Join the group to discuss symptoms, diagnosis, and treatments.
Hey Gang,
It is me again. Hope you are all doing well in this new years. I have continued to loose weight and regain control of my faculties...
I visited an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon in Toronto on Wed, Jan 30, 2012. I have a large lower jaw underbite, whereas my lower jaw has also expanded both right and left. There are issues with my upper jaw and lower jaws in mal-occulsions. This all causes me pain in eating, wear and tear jaw pain, and migraines in day and evenings at times as my teeth cannot 'rest' comfortably together.
The Surgeon Dr. Chadwick. Recent Grad with Thesis Awards from the American Dental Association... He said "Basically this is over his head... I will need Major... dental reconstructive surgery."
I am referred to Mount Sinai Hospital for their Dentistry Program, they are the best in Canada.
My question to my fellow friends here is this;
I really want this. I am young. My teeth, all though perfecly all aligned and white. I have never had a cavity on my dental records in my life.
I am only 28 and I am just now starting to date and get serious with plans in life. I deserve my post 2006 smile back. I feel acrogemaly had 'stolen' from me.
I am affected now as I look into the mirror. What changes can occur if I do not go through with this. The Doctor's may even wait 2 years down the road as they even think my jaw hasnt even finished growing yet. My front lower middle teeth had separated mid line a cm over a year now!
What has anyones experiences been on here with any dental reconstructive surgery for your smiles, reclaiming your faces once again. I really appreciate.
Wes
It is me again. Hope you are all doing well in this new years. I have continued to loose weight and regain control of my faculties...
I visited an Oral Maxillofacial Surgeon in Toronto on Wed, Jan 30, 2012. I have a large lower jaw underbite, whereas my lower jaw has also expanded both right and left. There are issues with my upper jaw and lower jaws in mal-occulsions. This all causes me pain in eating, wear and tear jaw pain, and migraines in day and evenings at times as my teeth cannot 'rest' comfortably together.
The Surgeon Dr. Chadwick. Recent Grad with Thesis Awards from the American Dental Association... He said "Basically this is over his head... I will need Major... dental reconstructive surgery."
I am referred to Mount Sinai Hospital for their Dentistry Program, they are the best in Canada.
My question to my fellow friends here is this;
I really want this. I am young. My teeth, all though perfecly all aligned and white. I have never had a cavity on my dental records in my life.
I am only 28 and I am just now starting to date and get serious with plans in life. I deserve my post 2006 smile back. I feel acrogemaly had 'stolen' from me.
I am affected now as I look into the mirror. What changes can occur if I do not go through with this. The Doctor's may even wait 2 years down the road as they even think my jaw hasnt even finished growing yet. My front lower middle teeth had separated mid line a cm over a year now!
What has anyones experiences been on here with any dental reconstructive surgery for your smiles, reclaiming your faces once again. I really appreciate.
Wes
I had my 2.7mm tumour removed in aug 11. The following jan I had my braces fitted to bring back together the huge spaces that had formed. I have been in braces 13 months now and everything has gone back to where it's suppose to be, when they were first fitted I was told it could take 18-24 months but thankfully I was ready in a yr. this weekend I am have the jaw surgery to pull my bottom jaw back and advance my top jaw. For me this is the most exiting part of my recovery, my facial changes have been the hardest thing for me to cope with and has definitely affected my personality over the years. Before you do anything you must be sure your levels are under control. Once you are sure, then go for it! I will keep u updated on how the surgery went. Any mre questions fire away.
How are you coping mentally with it all? It is a big surgery, is it six weeks you will have your mouth 'wired shut'? I would be excited as you said... As almost you are meeting a long lost part of yourself once again!
At the same time I would be extremely nervous about the operation, probably moreover than the tumor operation, cause' I have more time to mull the dental operation over.
How long were your doctors satisfied that your IGF levels were holding that you could proceed? Were the doctors even receptive to sending you to dental reconstructive specialists?
That sounds fantastic situation you have. That you have a speedy recovery and your doctor is open to other methods. He sounds receptive to patients conforts balancing needs etc.
Cheers to you and reclaiming yourself!!! :0)
I was diagnosed in December 08, and had two surgeries in 2009. I have been on Sando LAR monthly injections since then.
Like most of you, Ive been deeply affected by the diseases facial impacts. My underbite was very pronounced, and I was extremely self-conscious about it. Nevertheless, I just couldnt bring myself to undertake surgery to correct this problem, and instead opted to try to mask it. Ive been wearing braces for nearly two years now in an attempt to align the top jaw with bottom, and let me just say that the results have been surpassed my wildest expectations - I now have a slight overbite! (which I never had during the course of my life). Even my dentist didnt expect such results. So it is possible to mask this problem without going through surgery.
Having said this, I know some people (not acromegalics) who had underbites and went through surgery, and ended up saying it was the best thing they did for themselves. So if you really want it and feel that it will make you happier in the end, absolutely go for it!
I had my tumor removed in 1999, was on sandostatin LAR 20 for 10 years and my IGF-1 levels have finally stabilized. In 2009 I started the process for jaw surgery. My braces were put on and I met with a surgeon. I was finally ready for the surgery in Feb. 2012. Was off work for 2 weeks with rubber bands to hold jaw in place. The surgeon broke the upper and lower jaws in 5 places and used 16 screws and 4 plates to realign everything.
My braces stayed on for about another year and this week they came off. My teeth line up and I can eat food like a normal person now. It is well worth the pain for the surgery.
That is a neat idea with the braces route. Would save alot more money. If that works for you, then all for it.
For me, I want to have everything completed to the best that I can have it completed for me. AcroDenver, the day your braces had come off you must have been ecstatic.
Thanks for the inputs.